Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 7, 1 July 1993 — WANTED: Nā kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE]

WANTED: Nā kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi

If Hawaiians and nonHawaiians are encouraged to leam 'ōlelo Hawai'i, who will teach them? Educators agree that teachers are a rare and precious resource and that training and hiring Hawaiian speakers to become teachers is extremely important. Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian language instructor Sarah Quick said that because of increased enrollment Kamehameha has had to hire one additional teacher every year from 1988 to 1991, and had to hire two new teachers for both this year and next. From 1966 to 1988 there was only one permanent full-time Hawaiian language teacher at Kamehameha; now there are seven full-time and two half-time Hawaiian language teachers there. Quick is proud because half the department consists of her former students. The DOE's Anita Bruce, who oversees the Asian, European and Pacific languages program

in the Office of Instructional Services, said that because there are six public schools with immersion programs, and the lead class moves up eaeh year, every year they've needed to hire a minimum of six new teachers. Because there is such a great need, fluent speakers of Hawaiian who have bachelor's degrees and want to become teachers ean get tuition waivers to get their teaching certification. Pūnana Leo hires its teachers based solely on Hawaiian language fluency, but they are encouraged to get certified. The DOE teachers, in addition to being fluent, must have a teaching certificate. Through its federal funds, 'Aha Pūnana Leo is able to offer financial assistance to students who want to become immersion teachers. To receive a brochure on becoming a kumu 'ōlelo Hawai'i, eall or write the Hilo office of the Hale Kāko'o Pūnana Leo, 1744 Kino'ole St., Hilo 96720, 9594979.